Inspired by Saint Peter's warmth, by his willingness to trust even when utterly baffled, by his exuberance, and especially by his flaws.

The solid bronze crucifix of this chaplet is cast from a vintage original.

The Pater bead is handmade ceramic. Its warm rose color reminds us of Peter's heart, full of love and enthusiasm. Around the Pater are beads of turquoise, red jasper, coco, and brass.

The speckled Ave beads are lotus seeds, and those speckles are doubly symbolic — more about that, below. Separating the Aves are beads of turquoise and matte glass.

The beads at the ends of the strand are brass, and the connecting rings are bronze.

Crucifix: 1.5”
Pater bead: about 12mm
Ave beads: about 8mm
Length: 6.5”

More about the speckles:

We know that Peter was magnificently flawed. Despite his willingness, efforts, and love, time and time again he didn't get it right. He made mistakes in understanding, mistakes in what he did, mistakes in what he failed to do. The speckles all over the Ave beads symbolize, to us, his repeated and sometimes truly awful mistakes and failures.

What's amazing is that despite his imperfections, Peter was good enough. Good enough even to be chosen by Jesus as the person through whom He would found the church. "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." — This rock?

The speckles of these lotus seed beads are an inherent part of their beauty — without their speckles, what would these beads be? For Peter, for the beads, and for us, to be good enough — even to be beautiful — perfection is not required. What a wonderful thing.